We have been notified that internet service is down in Edgewater & Oakhill, Florida. Upon reviewing it appears that our provider is down. We have a trouble ticket in with the provider and will be working it. At this time we have no idea on what the issue is nor when it will be repaired. We will update this page as things progress.

Advertisements

Share this:

Like this:

We have been notified that internet service is down in Edgewater & Oakhill, Florida. Upon reviewing it appears that our provider is down. We have a trouble ticket in with the provider and will be working it. At this time we have no idea on what the issue is nor when it will be repaired. We will update this page as things progress.

Share this:

Like this:

It’s frustrating to work with someone who doesn’t listen. Whether your colleague interrupts you, rambles on, or seems distracted, the impact is the same: You feel ignored, and the chances of misunderstandings increase. But you can encourage your colleague to listen better by emphasizing the importance of your message up front. Before starting a conversation, say: “I have to talk to you about something important, and I need your help.” This sends a signal to your colleague that they need to pay attention. As frustrating as it may be, you may also need to make your point multiple times, in multiple ways. Be transparent about what you’re doing. You might say: “I want to repeat this, because I want to make sure it’s understood.” Then follow up with: “Does that make sense?” That way you can know your message has been heard.

Share this:

Like this:

When difficult conversations at work go wrong, they can rapidly devolve into unproductive arguments. Keep your discussion on track by minding the A-BCDs: Avoid Blame, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling.

Blame. Try not to make assumptions about what your colleague is thinking, and don’t make groundless accusations. Keep the conversation focused on facts.

Contempt. Acknowledge when you’ve lashed out in exasperation, and do your best to avoid making judgments.

Defensiveness. Take responsibility for your part in the conversation. Are you open to input, or do you interpret new ideas as criticism?

Stonewalling. Commit to listening and contributing with an open mind, instead of avoiding an unpleasant topic or refusing to participate fully in the conversation.

Any of these behaviors can derail a discussion, so make a commitment to yourself — and your teammates — to avoid them.

Share this:

Like this:

What is a Robocall?
A robocall is an automatic, computer-generated phone call made to your phone number (mobile or landline) from a solicitor. Illegal robocalls range in variety from dangerous phishing scams, to unsolicited (and annoying) sales calls. But keep in mind that some robocalls are legal, and can include important doctor appointment reminders, surveys, school closing announcements and political campaign calls.

Why Am I Getting So Many Robocalls?
Easy to acquire technologies use software, computers and the Internet to make thousands (even millions) of cheap calls with global range. In fact, many illegal robocalls originate from overseas. Similar technologies make it easy for scammers to “spoof” a phone number so it looks like you are being called by a legitimate number like your neighbor or even the IRS. Robocalls can be quickly set up and illegal scammers work hard to avoid detection.

How Should I Handle Robocalls/Phone Scams?
On the next page, we have provided a list of Do’s and Don’ts for dealing with robocalls, along with a sampling of tools you can use to block such calls. Keep in mind, the type of voice service you subscribe to, such as a wireless provider or through your local cable company, will dictate the types of robocall blocking tools available to you. Caregivers and elders should be especially alert to scamming robocalls since this group is often the most vulnerable.

What Tools Can I use to Stop Robocalls?
The National Do Not Call Registry found at https://www.donotcall.gov/ gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls at home. You can register your home or mobile phone for free.

The Federal Trade Commission also has some helpful information about robocalls in general [https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0259-robocalls], as well as ways to avoid becoming the victim of a scam [https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0076-phone-scams]. If you are a subscriber to a wireless service, the Wireless Association has a sampling of robocall blocking tools here [http://www.ctia.org/your-wireless-life/consumer-tips/blocking-robocalls].

Below are some tips of what to do and not do and some helpful mobile applications, provider and third party solutions.

Robocall Do’s
 Do contact your voice provider to inquire about available tools.
 Do register with the FTC’s Do-Not-Call list AND file complaints.
 Do educate yourself about available tools.

I hope this is helpful to everyone out there. While I have tried a lot of the tools listed, the simple blocking app built into your Android seems to work best for me. If you use Apple I strongly suggest getting one of the add on apps.

Joe Buck, NCE

Share this:

Like this:

Good leaders put aside their own needs for the good of the organization — but that doesn’t mean they completely sacrifice their personal lives. Leaders who subjugate their need for exercise, sleep, and recreation eventually succumb to brownout: the graduated loss of energy, focus, and passion.

Brownout is often imperceptible to outsiders, but it affects a significant percentage of the executive population. Today’s superstar leaders supplement their commitment to others with an equally important commitment to themselves. Whether it’s promising you’ll stick to your exercise routine, enjoy hobbies, eat dinner with your family, or reflect on what’s important to you, putting aside time for yourself makes you a better, more fully realized version of yourself.

Start by making one small but meaningful promise to yourself — and keep it. If you’re successful, try another promise. It shouldn’t take long for the performance benefits to be obvious.

Verizon is the last of the nationwide carriers to offer Wi-Fi calling, and is saying that the capability will come to its iOS devices early next year. Verizon customers will activate the feature by downloading and installing a software update and then by activating the carrier’s advanced calling feature. The service will support both voice and video calls, and Verizon says it will seamlessly transfer users to Wi-Fi when they leave a 4G coverage area.

I guess better late than never. Many start-ups have been doing this for a few years, and the big competitor’s have been doing this for a year themselves.

Like this:

All four nationwide carriers are set to invest in small cells and distributed antenna systems next year, with the two largest carriers leading the way. The total market is estimated to increase 5x by 2020.

Analyis’ expect to see Verizon Wireless deploy roughly 60,000 new nodes in the months ahead, and AT&T Mobility may add up to 40,000. Sprint is seen as the wild card however analysis’ believes Sprint will eventually come forward with a significant small cell investment. Once the other carriers show their hands, expect to see T-Mobile US to also make a move in small cells.

So far, small cells have been a tough nut for carriers to crack. Finding available real estate just where a cell is needed can be hard, and even if the right real estate is available, power and backhaul may not be. But carriers need to densify their networks to guarantee consistent user experiences. If one carrier leads the way, the others are likely to follow suit in an effort to keep customers from switching.

Verizon is the thought leader in small cells,analusus’ noting that the carrier is in the process of deploying 4,000 small cells already. Some of these small cells are very similar to outdoor DAS nodes as they are connected by fiber to a centralized baseband unit. Verizon Wireless and Crown Castle, two of the most active deployers to date, often refer to outdoor DAS nodes as small cells.

Carriers need partners like Crown Castle and Vertical Bridge to help finance small cells and DAS. Wi-Fi is the big unknown that gives some investors pause. For some odd reason everyone thinks Wi-Fi is the great disruptor.

The odd reason could be voice over Wi-Fi, which makes Wi-Fi a strong competitor to cellular in-building as long as it is reliable and easy to find. All four of the nationwide carriers either offer or plan to offer voice over Wi-Fi in the near future. While DAS providers work hard to bring all four nationwide carriers onto their systems, Wi-Fi inherently supports the devices of all the carriers.

Distributed network services

Analysis’ predict indoor DNS will grow to 12,000 locations and 133,000 nodes by 2020. Indoor will continue to outpace outdoor through 2017.

Estimates are that 270,000 total nodes are needed indoors and outdoors to support the demand for U.S. mobile data growth. That’s a much faster growth trajectory than when the tower industry was in its heyday.

Tower companies are well positioned to help the carriers build out these networks, in part because of their experience with site acquisition. A lot of real estate needs to be acquired, right of way needs to be secured, and a lot of property owners are going to have their doors knocked on.

Like this:

Krispy Kreme is bringing bar codes to life with a scannable mobile video that users can show at a store for a discount, exhibiting the possibilities for combining video and mobile to drive bricks-and-mortar activations.

The doughnut bakery chain is driving sales through the video coupon, which lives on YouTube, while also making a lasting impression on consumers through its unique call-to-action. The video features the glazing process of the doughnuts in which the streams of icing make up the digital bar code.

“The importance of the scan code mobile push for Krispy Kreme, is that you do not have to bring a coupon in for the offer, you only need to bring your mobile, Using your device to show the video for the offer greatly reduces touch points required to redeem an offer like this, making it easier on the customer.

Icing on the cake
On Dec. 12 customers can visit Krispy Kreme to redeem their mobile video coupon on the date dubbed as Day of the Dozens.

Mobile users must present the image or video of the glazing machine, creating the digital bar code. The store employee will be able to physically scan the bar code for the customer to receive a discount.

The doughnut retailer is sharing the video coupon on its social media pages such as Facebook and Twitter, and is encouraging discussion surrounding the campaign with the hashtag #DayoftheDozens.

The campaign is combining a series of insightful tactics to best drive sales. Krispy Kreme is highly aware that its manufacturing process is captivating to fans, and engages them while also inciting a craving for the doughnuts.

With many consumers having their devices already with them, a mobile coupon makes in-store redemption easy for most, as they will not have to go out of their way for a piece of paper to ensure their discount.

In-store visitors on Dec. 12 will also receive a second Glazed Dozen free with a purchase of one dozen.

Like this:

In its latest release of funding for rural broadband experiments, the FCC awarded $16 million to four carriers for rural broadband deployments in territories previously served by price cap carriers. The $16 million will bring broadband service to 2,451 census blocks across five states, reports the FCC.

A total of $16,138,691.71 was awarded to Skybeam, LLC; Daktel Communications, LLC; Federated Telephone Cooperative; and Paul Bunyan Rural Telephone Cooperative. These winners were provisionally selected previously, but were required to provide at least one acceptable irrevocable stand-by letter of credit and a bankruptcy code opinion letter from legal counsel. Having met these requirements, the FCC released the funding through the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC).

Skybeam is an affiliate of fixed wireless provider Rise Broadband, who has been quite active in the rural broadband experiment program. Federated and Paul Bunyan are Minnesota based rural telcos, and Daktel is a rural telco based in North Dakota.

The goal behind this experimental program is to identify efficient methods for delivering broadband and the funding to support it, to rural markets where larger price cap carriers (large tier 1 and 2 telcos) choose not to serve. The CAF is providing funding for rural broadband, but gives price cap carriers the option of rejecting funding for certain rural markets.

There will be a reverse auction to provide funding to other carriers who want to come in and fill the rural broadband void left from these price cap carrier rejection decisions. Rural broadband experiments funding like this awarded $16 million aims to help the FCC better define the rules for awarding future coverage under the CAF plan.